The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-02-11
1he Mandolin.

Sig. Lnigi Ricca, of the Mandolin
Quartet, in talking of the little instru-
ment that has lately become so fashion
able, said that the first introduction OF
the mandolin in this country was by the
Spanish Students. whose music was a
revelation to those unfamiliar with the
favori,e instrument of the Spanish peo-
pie. Sine, hen it has steadily grown in
popularity until it has entirely super
scded the banjo as fashionable fad,
il..d GiIod beside a place that the ban o
had never held-that of furnishing an
accompaniment to dinner parties and Ie-
ceptions.
The mandolin, he went on 20 explain,
was originally played in Spain, but was
not long in finding its way into Italy,
and now the Venetian makers exceed a l
others in the manufacture of them.
Vinaceia was the most famous maker,
his instruments fetching all the way
from $50 to 800. Sig Ricca himself
has very beautiful specimen of Ninac-
cia's art, the back made Of fluted rose
wood, the stem covered with tortoise
shell, the edges inlaid with mother OF
pearl and the KEYS of silver and ivory.
lie values it at over 500, and has played
upon n before the Queen Marguerite, of
Itaiy- III PLAYED in the mand0li,.I;
cheslra at the opening of the ,ro'Io
tan Exposition, whioA-ene attended
then only the Princess of Savoy-and
she was so delighted with the music,
which she had never heard before in such
volume, Immediately began to take les
sons. and is now one of the most expert
performers il her kingdom. Her man
dolin was made at her order, and cost
several thousand francs, with gold frets
and keys and her initials upon it in dia-
mouds.
1t was hearing Queen Marguerite play
that inspired Mrs. William Waldorf
Aston with emulation, and she is now a
perfect mester of this mewhat difficult
instrument. A great many New York
girls have tFken it up, just as they took
up the ban ., and about the same average
play it well. A large proportion follow
the same course they did with the banjo,
take it up with fury at first because it is
craze, and persevere just long enough
to learn how TO play few chords and
never get beyond that. The rest become
fair musicians.
There are two sorts Of mandolins, the
Neapolitan, which is strung with cat-gut
and is the easiest to learn to play upon.
Its this sort that's played b. the Casino
Quintet. The Spanish mandolin is strung
with eight metallic strings, and though
much more difficult to learn is moro
brilliant in effect and is good solo in
stri,neut, while the Neapolitan mando
liMass no eject exceptin ensemble will
ogess. 1t is tuned in iifths and played
wT-o-a bit of shell swept rapidly acros:
the strings, making the curious shiverinG
sound characteristic Of the mandolin.
Tied with Big bright ribbon bow,
the player resting her dainty slipper on {
stool. and sweeping the gittering little
egg-shaped thing with her bit of tortoise
T shell. young woman makes an effective
D cture and She knows it. whence tn
mandolin's popularity. The music i
written like the piano score and tn
/ plaintive lite melodies of the Spanish
italian peasants is best suited to 1t
unique powers. Many Of the airs playe'
I in the Mexican Village by the Fandang
orchestra are specially adapted to tn
mandolin. their instrument, the bando
Ian, somewhat resembling it on large
scale.-Neie York World.